The Han Dynasty Empress is a Ghost | Chapter 21 | A Bewitched Soul | Novela.app

“Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao!” In a hazy trance, Ajiao heard someone calling her name. “Jiaojiao, look! These are new pastries made in the Empress Dowager’s palace today. Have a taste!” *So noisy!* Ajiao buried her head under the covers and turned over. “Jiaojiao, get up quickly. Stop sleeping. Your Grand Empress Dowager will be calling for you to study in a moment!” Ajiao felt the quilt being pulled away from her. Angrily, she flung the covers off and sat up, only to be hit by a sudden, violent wave of dizziness that sent her falling backward. “Jiaojiao!” the voice said, sounding utterly helpless. “Slow down, don’t go knocking your head again! You’re a clever little girl, but if you knock yourself silly, no one will want you!” Ajiao waited a moment for the world to stop spinning before opening her eyes. There was no one in front of her. Yet the voice rang out again: “What’s wrong? Still haven’t recovered? Let me rub your head for you.” Ajiao watched as the discarded quilt was slowly lifted and tucked back over her body. She even felt the sensation of a hand pressing against her temples. But she saw no one. She could see the room, the table, and the chairs, but there was not a soul in sight. “Mother! Mother!” Ajiao cried out in terror. She scrambled out of bed and ran out of the room barefoot. The door swung open. “Wengzhu, Wengzhu, what is the matter?” “Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, what’s wrong?” Ajiao heard voices all around her ears, yet she could see nothing. She was frightened to her core. “Jiaojiao, what happened? Did you have a nightmare? Why do you look so pale?” Someone caught her by the arm, trying to carry her back into the room. “Let go of me!” Ajiao struggled with all her might and ran outside. All along the way, it felt as if people were pulling at her, yet the sunlight shone directly onto her, and there wasn't even a second shadow to be seen. “Quick, go call the Princess! Tell her Jiaojiao seems to be ill!” Ajiao kept running forward until her sleeve was suddenly snagged. She yanked back with force, and in an instant, she tumbled into the lake. “Jiaojiao!” *** “Chen Ajiao! Chen Ajiao!” Yun He patted Ajiao’s cheek, but her complexion only grew more ghastly. Yun He sighed twice, shaking his head. “Her soul has been bewitched by something. I’m afraid she won’t wake up for a while.” Shen Zhi’s expression was grim. The protective jade he had given Chen Ajiao had been swapped. Fortunately, when that mass of spiritual power exploded, Ajiao had still been clutching the wooden tablet Guantao had given her—a protective charm Guantao had bought from somewhere, claiming it would provide Ajiao an extra layer of security. That wooden tablet had truly served its purpose; otherwise, Chen Ajiao’s soul would have been shattered by the shock. “Qi Wuyi, how is her condition?” Shen Zhi asked the man standing nearby, who was dressed in azure official robes. Qi Wuyi replied in a gentle voice, “Reporting to My Lord, this mortal ghost was merely struck by a surge of spiritual power. Fortunately, she had this protective charm. As long as her soul is properly nurtured, she will be fine. However, she has just undergone a cycle of reincarnation and is still tainted with a lingering mortal aura. She was momentarily bewitched by it. We simply need to cleanse the mortal aura from her body. But as for the matter of reincarnation, I estimate we cannot attempt it again until her soul is fully restored.” “Then you help her cleanse the aura first. Leave the nurturing of her soul to me.” Shen Zhi walked to Ajiao’s side and pried the wooden tablet from her tight grip. The tablet had already shattered into several pieces, its spiritual power exhausted and its luster gone. Shen Zhi carefully put the fragments away. Chen Ajiao was no longer in mortal danger, but this matter was far from over. “Yun He, I’m going to find your father now to report this incident. Do you want to come?” He mainly wanted to discuss Hong Sang’s actions with Fei Kang. “I’m not going. I have to head back to the Reincarnation Platform in a bit. I’m afraid things will descend into chaos if both of us are absent,” Yun He said with uncharacteristic seriousness. “Fine.” Shen Zhi assigned two ghost messengers to assist Qi Wuyi in looking after Chen Ajiao before he felt at ease enough to leave. “Phew~” Yun He let out a long breath. “Qi Wuyi, did you see that? Your boss’s face was dark the entire time! Tsk tsk, it seems the relationship between this female ghost and your boss is anything but simple!” Qi Wuyi gave a thin, mirthless smile. “Indeed.” It was certainly not simple; if his boss worked a little harder, he could practically be her father. As for that Hong Sang, she had been both stupid and arrogant this time. It was one thing to act so brazenly, but she had even targeted the wrong person. *** Liu Che did not expect to have another dream about Ajiao. In the dream, it seemed to be during their youth. Ajiao was staying overnight at Changle Palace. Early in the morning, he brought pastries to see her, but as soon as Ajiao woke up, she looked as if she had seen a ghost. she began charging blindly through the palace before falling into the lake... Ajiao had looked truly terrifying in that state, as if she were suffering from... a bewitchment of the soul. Liu Che covered his eyes and let out a long sigh. He wondered if this dream was triggered because Ajiao had mentioned her "delirium" the last time she entered his dreams. Liu Che pulled back the bed curtains; it was still dark outside. Feeling still somewhat drowsy, Liu Che simply lay back down. “Che’er, Ajiao has quieted down now. Are you alright?” Guantao took a silk cloth from a palace maid and used it to wring the water from Liu Che’s hair. She hadn't expected that when Ajiao fell into the water, Liu Che would jump in after her. Fortunately, the lake at Changmen Palace was not deep, and the guards had been standing by. “Do not worry, Aunt. I am fine. It is just Ajiao... Does Aunt know what happened to her today?” Liu Che sat before the mirror, looking at his reflection. His stature was upright, and his expression was spirited. Guantao sighed. “I don’t know either. The imperial physicians couldn't give a clear explanation, only saying she suffered a fright.” Guantao was displeased, and the strength in her hands increased. Liu Che felt his hair being yanked painfully. He barely managed to swallow the reprimand that was about to escape his lips. “Aunt, do you think Ajiao... does she seem to be suffering from, suffering from... a bewitchment of the soul?” Liu Che asked tentatively. Guantao slammed the cloth onto the ground. “What does the Crown Prince mean by that?” Even if she didn't have it in her youth, Ajiao did indeed suffer from delirium in the future. Guantao’s reaction sparked a hint of dissatisfaction in Liu Che as well. “I am speaking from the heart. Aunt should have Jiaojiao properly examined.” With that, he rose to leave. Just as Liu Che stood up, the door was suddenly burst open. “Mother! Mother!” Ajiao came stumbling in, but she stopped at the doorway, looking left and right, her voice thick with a sob. Guantao hurried over to support Ajiao. “Jiaojiao, what’s wrong? Are you awake again? Don’t be afraid, Mother is here!” “Mother, I can’t see you! Jiaojiao is so scared! Mother!” Ajiao suddenly broke down into loud wails. *Can’t see?* Liu Che was struck with shock. Suddenly, the world before his eyes began to spin. When he opened them again, he was still inside the Xuanshi Hall. Seeing that His Majesty had awakened, Yang Deyi hurried over with a prepared cup of honey water. “I was just about to wake Your Majesty. Please be careful, Your Majesty.” | Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 翁主 | Wengzhu | A title for the daughter of a Han dynasty Prince or Marquess; often translated as Princess. | | 迷症 | Mizheng / Delirium | A state of being bewitched, delirious, or having a "lost soul" (mental/spiritual affliction). | | 祁无衣 | Qi Wuyi | A new character, an official/doctor in the underworld. | | 费康 | Fei Kang | Yun He's father, a high-ranking official in the underworld. | | 长乐宫 | Changle Palace | "Palace of Eternal Happiness," a major palace complex in Han-era Chang'an. | | 长门宫 | Changmen Palace | "Long Gate Palace," historically where Empress Chen was confined. | | 宣室殿 | Xuanshi Hall | The main imperial audience hall and living quarters for the Emperor. | | 杨得意 | Yang Deyi | A historical eunuch who served Emperor Wu of Han. |